Govt. taking measures to curb illicit liquor: Semasinghe

State Minister of Money Shehan Semasinghe said in Parliament yesterday the Government is taking progressive steps to prevent people from turning towards illicit alcohol. 

Responding to a query raised by Badulla District SJB MP Vadivel Suresh, Semasinghe noted that this was listed as a priority for the Government in order to safeguard the health of consumers and revenue of the State. 

The SJB MP said illicit alcohol dens had grown exponentially in the Badulla District in recent times, and a large number of residents had fallen prey to the lure of cheap illicit alcohol, despite the many dangers they pose. 

The growth of illicit alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka has also been noted by the World Health Organization, which reported that illicit alcohol consumption in the country rose 300% between 2010 and 2016 versus the seven years preceding that.